ALEXANDER COUNTY - A third H1N1-related death has been reported in Southern Illinois.

Southern Seven Health Department reported the organization's first death, an unidentified adult living in Alexander County, linked to the virus Thursday. The individual who died also had other unspecified, underlying medical conditions.

Two other H1N1-related deaths were reported earlier this month, one in Jackson County and the other in Williamson. Both victims in those cases were also adults with other underlying medical conditions.

Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported a total of 48 H1N1-related deaths in the state. At the same time, the federal Center for Disease Control reported nearly 4,000 possible deaths nationwide related to the virus.

Southern Seven Health Department has received a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine and is taking appointments for those in the priority groups including pregnant women with a doctor's order, people providing care for infants under 6 months in age, health care and emergency medical service personnel, individuals between 6 months and 24 years of age and those aged 25 to 64 with certain medical conditions with high risk of influenza complications.

Walk-in clinics will be offered as more vaccine becomes available.